12-16-09 Meeting - Prayer request for Joe

During our last meeting we discussed Hebrews 4:12-13. This brief passage act as sort of a  parenthesis between the "God's rest" passage and the upcoming passage regarding Christ as our great high priest. We will start with 4:14 at the next meeting.

Please include group member Joe in your prayers. He was seriously injured in a work accident. His pelvis was broken in three places, but thanks to the Grace of God he was not more seriously injured or even worse. He should enjoy a complete recovery but it will be slow and painful. Joe, our prayers are with you - bless you.

Mel who?

In Hebrews Chapters 5, 6 and especially 7 the book refers to Christ as a High Priest of the order of Melchezidek. Just who is Melchezidek? Well, the Bible itself doesn't offer a lot of help.....or does it? Melchezidek is refered to briefly in the Bible, seemingly only in passing. While we will get into this a lot more as part of our study of Chapter 7, the following article on the Jewish traditions of Melchezidek are instructive:

Melchizedek in Jewish Tradition


The author of Hebrews uses the figure of Melchizedek to clarify the nature of the priesthood of Christ. Melchizedek, whose name means “king of righteousness” (Heb 7:2), appears briefly in Genesis as the king of Salem (Gen. 14:18-20). Despite being mentioned only in Genesis and one psalm (Ps. 110:4), the mystery of Melchizedek’s figure inspired much interpretive activity in Jerusalem during the second temple period.

Such intrigue was not lost on serious interpreters of the Old Testament in antiquity. Melchizedek emerges as the central figure in a fragmentary document found at Qumran. This document, entitled “11QMelchizedek”, consists largely of interpretive comments on Old Testament passages, and presents Melchizedek as an important figure in God’s judgment upon the earth in the end times.

Another fragmentary text, called “Melchizedek,” was Nag Hammadi in Egypt. It seemingly contains much older traditions from a group of Jews who found the origins of their theology in the person of Seth, the son of Adam born after Cain killed Abel (Gen. 4:25). In this tradition Melchizedek,”priest of God Most High,” receives special revelations concerning Jesus from heavenly messengers. In a second group of revelations Melchizedek himself becomes Jesus, and is both crucified and raised as savior! Such ideas make Jesus the new appearance of Melchizedek.

The author of Hebrews reads the Melchizedek tradition in a restrained manner compared to the speculations current at that time. Ultimately, he is not so much interested in Melchizedek, as in Christ who was the High Priest “according to the order Melchizedek” (Heb. 5:8-10). Christ’s heavenly priesthood surpasses an earthly priesthood of the king of Salem (Heb. 7:15-17)

Merry Christmas from the City Market Bible Study

From every one at the City Market Bible Study - Have a wonderful, incredible, stupendous, MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR! Praise Jesus and Peace and Grace to all the Saints!!!

12-2-09 Meeting

It was a pretty laid back meeting on Weds. We spent more time in fellowship than in Hebrews, but it was very positive and refreshing for all involved. Some quality time spent in good Christian fellowship can really recharge the spiritual batteries. We finished Chapter 3 and will be starting on Chapter 4 of Hebrews next meeting. Hope to see you there.

p&g

Tommyboy

The Manhattan Declaration

On November 20, 2009 over 150 religious leaders, pastors and priests, from a variety of denominations,  issued a written Christian manifesto now known as the "Manhattan Declaration." The document makes very clear their position that we as Christians will maintain our Christian convictions and will not submit to social convention or even legal intimidation to abandon such convictions to accomodate the world, even if so doing brings down the entire wrath of the State. This is an important document and draws a clear line in the sand proclaiming where we stand as Christians. We will not render unto Caesar what is rightfully God's. Over 230,000 Christians have signed on to this Declaration to signal their agreement.  All readers of this blog are encourage to go read the declaration and sign on to it if you agree with the principles contained therein. The Declaration can be read and/or downloaded here:

THE MANHATTAN DECLARATION

11-18-09 Meeting

At our meeting Wed. we covered Hebrews 3:1-15. Chris led and it was very productive. There was also a lot of really good Christian fellowship and the presence of the Holy Spirit was strong and evident to all. Next week we will start at Hebrews 3:16. As you finish reading Chapter 3 and begin Chapter 4 focus on the phrase "my rest", "his rest" or "God's rest". Just what is the author referring to here and how does it relate to the book's them of Christ and Christianity being the fulfillment of and superior to Judaism.

High Priest

Starting in Chapter two of Hebrews, and throughout the book, the author refers to Jesus as our High Priest. If you're not exactly sure just what the high priest was under the Mosaic law, here's a brief refresher course, with Bible citations for those who want to explore deeper.

HIGH PRIEST — Aaron was the first who was solemnly set apart to this office (Ex. 29:7; 30:23; Lev. 8:12). He wore a peculiar dress, which on his death passed to his successor in office (Ex. 29:29, 30). Besides those garments which he wore in common with all priests, there were four that were peculiar to himself as high priest:

(1.) The “robe” of the ephod, all of blue, of “woven work,” worn immediately under the ephod. It was without seam or sleeves. The hem or skirt was ornamented with pomegranates and golden bells, seventy-two of each in alternate order. The sounding of the bells intimated to the people in the outer court the time when the high priest entered into the holy place to burn incense before the Lord (Ex. 28).

(2.) The “ephod” consisted of two parts, one of which covered the back and the other the breast, which were united by the “curious girdle.” It was made of fine twined linen, and ornamented with gold and purple. Each of the shoulder-straps was adorned with a precious stone, on which the names of the twelve tribes were engraved. This was the high priest’s distinctive vestment (1 Sam. 2:28; 14:3; 21:9; 23:6, 9; 30:7).

(3.) The “breastplate of judgment” (Ex. 28:6–12, 25–28; 39:2–7) of “cunning work.” It was a piece of cloth doubled, of one span square. It bore twelve precious stones, set in four rows of three in a row, which constituted the Urim and Thummim (q.v.). These stones had the names of the twelve tribes engraved on them. When the high priest, clothed with the ephod and the breastplate, inquired of the Lord, answers were given in some mysterious way by the Urim and Thummim (1 Sam. 14:3, 18, 19; 23:2, 4, 9, 11,12; 28:6; 2 Sam. 5:23).

(4.) The “mitre,” or upper turban, a twisted band of eight yards of fine linen coiled into a cap, with a gold plate in front, engraved with “Holiness to the Lord,” fastened to it by a ribbon of blue.

To the high priest alone it was permitted to enter the holy of holies, which he did only once a year, on the great Day of Atonement, for “the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest” (Heb. 9; 10). Wearing his gorgeous priestly vestments, he entered the temple before all the people, and then, laying them aside and assuming only his linen garments in secret, he entered the holy of holies alone, and made expiation, sprinkling the blood of the sin offering on the mercy seat, and offering up incense. Then resuming his splendid robes, he reappeared before the people (Lev. 16). Thus the wearing of these robes came to be identified with the Day of Atonement.

The office, dress, and ministration of the high priest were typical of the priesthood of our Lord (Heb. 4:14; 7:25; 9:12, etc.).

It is supposed that there were in all eighty-three high priests, beginning with Aaron (B.C. 1657) and ending with Phannias (A.D. 70). At its first institution the office of high priest was held for life (but comp. 1 Kings 2:27), and was hereditary in the family of Aaron (Num. 3:10). The office continued in the line of Eleazar, Aaron’s eldest son, for two hundred and ninety-six years, when it passed to Eli, the first of the line of Ithamar, who was the fourth son of Aaron. In this line it continued to Abiathar, whom Solomon deposed, and appointed Zadok, of the family of Eleazar, in his stead (1 Kings 2:35), in which it remained till the time of the Captivity. After the Return, Joshua, the son of Josedek, of the family of Eleazar, was appointed to this office. After him the succession was changed from time to time under priestly or political influences.